Operating mechanism



Aug. 23, I: fil N ET AL I 1,873,906

' o rEn TInc- MECHANISM Y Filed Aug. 50. 1950- INVENTOR.

fsaAc M LADDON W/LL/AM A. nva

Patented Aug. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM A. RING AND ISAAC M. LADDON, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS' TO BENDIX BRAKE COMPANY, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS OPERATING MECHANISM Application filed August 30, 1930. Serial 110479939.

This invention relates to operating means for brakes and the like, and is illustrated as embodied in means for operating the brakes g rudder itself, and also usually by another 'cable 28 passing over a central pulley (not of an airplane. In one arrangement for operating the brakes of an airplane, they, are connected to pedals or the like mounted on and forming part of the rudder control mechanism, so that the pilot may steer on the ground by using the brakes without shifting his feet from the position occupied while steering in the air. Heretofore, the brake pedals or their equivalents have been, when the brakes are released, in a fixed relation to latter are moved to different positions.

the axis of the rudder control, so that as the rudder is turned they may shift angularly relatively to the pilots feet.

According to an important feature of the present invention, the brake pledals or their equivalents are maintained, W en the brakes are released, at a constant angle with respect to the pilots feet (i. e; with respect to the floorboard), by means causing them to shift with respect to the rudder controls when 1|the or example, a parallelogram linkage may cause the pedals to maintain the desired relation to tihe pilot in all positions of the rudder contro s. I

The above and other objects and features of the invention, including various novel and desirable particular constructions, will be apparent from the following description of one illustrative embodiment shown, in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic isometric View of the brake and rudder controls, and associated parts, of an airplane fuselage; and

Figure 2 is a view of a portion of Figure 1, on a larger scale.

The airplane, of which portions are illustrated in the drawing, has the usual landing wheels 10 provided with suitablebrakes 12 operated in the illustrated arrangement by tension cables 14 passing over guide pulleys 16 and connected to cam levers 18. The airplane also has a suitable rudder (not shown) operated by tension cables 20. Cables 20, which operate the rudder, are connected to levers 22 adjustably secured to operating levers 24, oscillatably mounted on axles 26 carried by the floorboard or other fixed part of theplane. Levers 22 are connected toether by the rudder connections 20 and the shown) arranged forwardly of the controls, so that as the right control is depressed the left must be raised, and vice versa.

The brake cables 14 or their equivalents are connected to lever arms 30 of pedals or the like 32 pivoted on the rudder controls 24, in such a manner as to form foot pads for the rudder controls and at the same time operating members for the brake controls. The present invention has to do with the grovision of novel means for shifting the pe als 32 or'their equivalents in a predetermined manner, with respect to the rudder controls and without affecting the brake controls, so that in any position of the rudder controls these pedals will be at the most advantageous position with respect to the pilot. Preferably, in most cases, this position is substantially the same, angularlv, with respect to the ilot (and therefore with respect to the flooroard or other'fixed part of the plane).

As one desirable means'of securing this action, we may provide a member forming, with each rudder control lever 24, a parallelogram linkage. In the example illustrated, a tube or guide member 36 embracing the end of each cable 14 is pivoted to a bracket 38 secured to the floorboard (not shown), to turn about an axis paralleling the axis 26 and spaced forwardly thereof by a distance substantially equal to the lever arm 30. Nuts 40 threaded on the upper end of each tube 36 form an adjustable stop against which the corresponding lever 30 is urged by a return spring 42. 7

It will be seen that operation of the rudder, by pushing forwardly on one or the other of pedals 32, does. not change the anular position of the pedal, this position be- 1ng maintained by engagement of the pedal lever 30with the stop 40 at the top of the guide 36, controls since the length of cable 14. in the and also does not afi'ect the brake guide 36 is unchanged. On the other hand,

brake, so that either brake or both brakes may be operated at will by the pilot, for steerin or retarding the plane when on the groun While one illustrative embodiment has been described in detail, it is not our intention tension connection, and a guide for said conguide embracing the portion of the second nection pivoted for movement about a second axis paralleling the first axis and which predetermines the position of the pedal on the levtfir when the connection is not being operate w 2. Operating mechanism comprising a lever pivoted for movement about a first axis, a pedal mounted thereon, a cable connected to the pedal, and a guide. for said cable pivoted for movement about a second axis paralleling the first axis and which pre-- determines the position of the pedal.

3. Operating mechanism comprising a lever pivoted for movement about a first axis, a pedal carried by the lever and pivoted thereon for movement about a second axis paralleling the first axis, a cable connected to the pedal, and a tubular guide embracing the pedal an which guide is pivoted for movement about a third axis paralleling the first axis.

4. Operating mechanism comprising a lever pivoted for movement about a first axis, an operating cable connected to the lever, a pedal carried by the lever, a second .cable connected to the pedal, and a tubular cable adjacent the pedal and which guide is pivoted for movement about-a second axis paralleling the first axis.

5. Operating mechanism comprising a lever pivoted for movement about a first axis, a pedal carried by the lever, a cable connected to the pedal, and a tubular guide'embracing the portion of the cable adjacent the pedal and which guide is pivoted for movement about a second axis paralleling the first axis, said guide having a stop engaged by the pedal when tension on the cable is released.

6. Operating. mechanism comprising a lever pivoted for movement about a first axis, an operating cable connected tothe lever, a pedal carried by the lever, a second cable connected to the pedal, and a tubular guide embracing the portion of the second cable adjacent the pedal and which guide is pivoted for movement about a second axis paralleling the first axis, said guide having a stop engaged by the pedal when tension on the second cable is released.

7. Operating mechanism comprislng a (portion of the cable adjacent the lever pivoted for movement about a first axis, a pedal carried by the lever, a cable connected to the pedal, and a tubular guide embracing the portion of the cable adjacent the pedal and which guide is pivoted for movement about a second axis'paralleling the first axis, said guide having adjustably mounted thereon a stop engaged by the pedal when tension on the cable is released.

8. Operating mechanism comprising a lever pivoted for movement about a first axis, an operating cable connected to the lever, a pedal carried by the lever, a second cable connected to the pedal, and atubular guide embracing the portion of the second cable adacent the pedal and which guide is pivoted for movement about a second axis paralleL mg the first axis, said guide having adjustably mounted thereon a stop engaged by the pedal when tension on the second cable is released.

9. An operating mechanism comprising a pedal, a tubular guide pivoted at one end, a pedal stop at the other end, and a cable extending through the guide connected to the pedal.

In testimony where-of, we have hereunto signed our names.

WILLIAM A. RING.

. ISAAC M. LADDON. 

